October 2 -8, 2006
October 2 -8, 2006
SOLI/Update
www.stewardshipoflife.org
Giving is a spiritual discipline
First of all, we're NOT asking people to pledge. Got it? Not
pledging.
Instead, we are asking for members of my congregation prayerfully to weigh all
of the blessings that God has given them, and then to thoughtfully estimate
how much they would like to contribute to the church in 2007 in response
for all that God has provided. Lastly -- and here's where we get on slippery
ground -- we are inviting them to tell us, church leaders, so we can plan our
ministries.
You probably noticed the careful wording. We are treading lightly because this
is new stuff to our congregation, which is over 200 years old and has never
before asked people to think ahead of time about how much they might give to
the church and then tell us. We are working hard to make it an exercise in
discipleship that will invite our people to venture more deeply in their faith
walk, and NOT play into their sense of guilt or shame. Sure, we could probably
wring out a few extra bucks by making people feel bad, but that's not going to
create any of the "cheerful givers" that Paul talks about.
We are asking members to enter into prayer over what they have and to
determine what they can reasonably give as a response to God's providence. In
doing so, we are suggesting that giving is an act of spiritual discipline
entered into with commitment, reverence and faith.
The process addresses a key issue: Many members -- perhaps most -- don't
really think much about their contribution to church, or really don't want
to. Instead, giving is whatever money happens to be in the wallet or
pocketbook when the plate comes around (just so long as it's not a $20 or a
$50 bill). In any spiritual discipline, when there is a lack of forethought
and commitment, there is also a lack of responsibility and
self-accountability.
Saints, sages and mystics through the centuries have testified on the benefits
of spiritual disciplines. It takes some commitment and effort to make a habit
of prayer, Scripture reading, public service, worship or financial giving,
but ultimately all these practices yield enormous personal benefits and help
transform and enlighten the individual who undertakes them.
That's the pitch. We're excited about the prospects. I'll keep you posted on
the response. And if anybody from my church should ask, remember it's NOT
pledging!
--Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster
New this week:
Transforming Lives by Teaching on Money
"If
the local church is to live out its redemptive potential, it must provide not
only hope but practical help and biblical teaching that meet people at their
points of need. One of the most critical needs in the church today is helping
people come to grips with their finances."
Click here for "Transforming Lives by
Teaching on Money," from
Building Church Leaders.
Breathe
-- and be thankful for breath
"I was a nurse
long before I was a pastor and I know how intricate is the body and how many
things can go wrong. Given this, I am always amazed that we are healthy so
much of the time. How many times does our heart beat? A reasonable estimate
for the number of heartbeats in a lifetime is about three billion."
Click here for the latest weekly column
by Pastor Dana Reardon. To read past columns,
click here.
Church
Giving by Electronic Fund Transfer
Maybe you've heard about these programs to make church contributions
automatically and electronically, but don't know where to start. This article
outlines the pros, cons and the how-tos of electronic giving. Good piece for
the stewardship committee wrestling with the issue.
Click here for "Church Giving by
Electronic Fund Transfer," from the United Methodist Church's
Center for Christian Stewardship.
Eight ways congregations raise pledges.
If
you're looking for a way to increase giving at your church (and what leader is
not?), here's an article for you! This piece looks at the strengths of eight
pledge-raising approaches in order to help churches find the one that best
fits their own situation. Good reading for the stewardship novice and seasoned
hand alike.
Click here for "Eight ways." From the
Alban Institute's
Congregational Resource Center.